Operations Manager at Sandvik

• We are looking for a an ambitious, target driven and customer focused individual to join our team as a Production Manager.
• The role will report into the EMEA Operations Director - Screening Solutions. The role will be based from our offices in Spartan, Kempton Park.

Purpose of the role:

• Effectively manage all areas of operations to produce equipment and components on time and within quality standards and cost objectives. Responsible to develop and execute goals that ensure operation related activities supports the profitability and growth of the business, thus helping to achieve the company’s sales turnover through on time delivery of orders.

The job responsibilities:

• Jointly responsible for establishing and implementing Company strategy and policy together with your Operation Director.
• Continuously work towards supporting the Company’s mission, while driving sustainable profitability, cost reduction and productivity improvements.
• Ensure that the Company complies with appropriate legal and statutory requirements.
• Present clear and timely reports and follow up on all concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Establish systems and procedures to keep the Operations Director informed about the Company status, needs and activities and keep him informed of relevant progress.
• Establish and monitor the key performance indicators of the Company
• Responsible for planning and achieving production targets in applying the best supply chain (SCM reporting to DOP/manufacturing/fabrication /assembly and repair practices in a heavy metal fabrication environment.
• Identify, champion and drive through key productivity improvements to improve the profitability of the operations function.
• Responsible to work with the quality department to identify and drive through quality improvement initiatives in order to improve the quality of products and reduce the costs.
• Responsible to improve the on-time delivery per department to achieve budgeted targets.
• Responsible to manage and reduce the age of the work in progress to acceptable levels determined by the Operations Director.
• Responsible to ensure the strip and quotes are done timeously within the shortest turnaround time possible.
• Responsible to manage effectively the total preventative maintenance schedules of the departments in order to minimize, down time and disruption to production plans.
• Responsible to direct the development and installation of procedures and controls to promote communication and adequate information flow and thereby integrating management control and direction of the departments.
• Responsible to focus on continuous process improvement in operational and maintenance areas of responsibility and measuring and controlling new systems and processes.
• Responsible for the evaluation and implementation of insourcing and outsourcing programs to improve cost and control of critical sub- component finishes with in-house resources.
• Responsible to appraise and evaluate the results of overall operations regularly and systematically and reports these results to the Operations Director.
• Responsible to measure productivity and goal achievement and to determine areas needing cost reduction and improvement.
• Responsible to jointly liaise with procurement to ensure material is purchased cost effectively and available for production when required.
• Responsible to ensure that production departments have sufficient time to manufacture and deliver on time according to customer’s requests.
• Responsible to monitor and review production progress against deadline targets.
• Ensure production quality processes, equipment being used and the working environments are all conductive to producing a high quality product.
• Ensure that sub-contract processes are received back and that suppliers are expedited if late.
• Promoting and upholding company performance standards and ideology (on-time delivery, quality, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, housekeeping and work ethic).
• Responsible for operational excellence (right first time, high productivity, high efficiency, high effectiveness, minimize waste/maximize value add).
• Responsible for staff compliance to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• Be aware of and promote manufacturing best practice and performance standards.
• Minimize waste and strictly control scrap removal
• Always uphold strict 5S housekeeping standards.
• Responsible for all Security related activities.
• To evaluate, appoint and manage security service providers.
• To conduct monthly meetings with security service providers management and review their performance.
• Responsible for sustainable Health and Safety, quality (ISO), asset management, including asset maintenance and risk management systems in the relevant departments.
• As the legally appointed (16.2) responsible person to ensure the company complies with all the OHS legal requirements
• To ensure all outside contractors and suppliers working on all Kwatani premises comply with the legal requirements by completing a section 37(2) OHS act agreement form and comply to all Kwatani safety standards.
• Responsible for the preparation of the annual Operations Expenditure Budget “OPEX”, and all Capital Expenditure Budget “CAPEX” proposals with input from departmental heads.
• Oversee and report on monthly performance actual costs against budgets
• Assist financial department with asset stock takes queries.
• Perform make or buy decisions for maximum cost saving returns.
• Accurately measure and control jobs costs related to operations.
• Manage and monitor labour recovery hours.
• To evaluate, appoint and manage all general waste and steel scrap suppliers (process all purchase orders and invoicing of these suppliers to finance).
• Responsible for maintaining ownership of the costing tool, ensuring its accuracy and timely updates with the latest recovery rates, material costs, paint prices, and rates for value-added services. This enables the sales team to utilize the tool during RFQ stages, providing them with reliable and precise cost estimates.
• Motivate staff to deliver results
• Establish goals and objectives for self and team and implement accordingly to help support/improve job performance.
• Responsible to determine employee requirements in co-ordination with the departmental managers to ensure maximum output and productivity.
• Monitor, review and address employee underperformance, maintaining appropriate records in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate systems and processes are in place to measure and manage staff performance and to coach and develop a high-performance workforce.
• Ensure company policies are communicated, applied and enforced with subordinates
• Address any staff discipline or grievance issues, maintaining appropriate records in accordance with company procedures.
• Responsible that all recruitment and employment in departments are carried out in accordance to company procedure and in compliance with current employment law.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in Engineering (MEng), Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years' management experience within a metal component manufacturing environment
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar management position.
• A broad background in mechanical engineering/manufacturing with a wide range of knowledge on manufacturing and production processes.

Other Requirements & Competencies

• Excellent understanding of how parts are made
• Substantial practical knowledge and understanding of assembly processes.
• Have a working understanding of production planning and scheduling; stock management systems; quality management systems; health and safety best practise and legislation; understanding of the principles and tools of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools within a low volume, high quality manufacturing facility.
• Possess strong computer skills and competency in all MS Office applications.
• Excellent understanding of vibrating equipment
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to build a high-performance team who can operate effectively, efficiently, productively and cost effectively.
• Possess the ability to work productively, efficiently, effectively with initiative and drive under tight timescales and pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Be personally energetic, dynamic, positive, and enthusiastic and possess the ability to think laterally and act through reasoned decision making.
• Possess the ability to implement and manage change in the business.
• Ability to apply structured problem solving approach to provide solutions for complex assembly issues.
• Practically orientated/minded
• Strong problem solving skills and “design for manufacture” skills
• Possess a working understanding of leadership principles and management best practice.
• Strong speaking skills to convey information effectively and clearly
• Follow-through ability to complete tasks
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to delegate tasks
• Strong entrepreneurial skills